Altogether, the charity raised €5.48 million in 2013, slightly down from the €5.55 million raised the previous year.

“We can’t rest on our laurels, we really need public support … It’s great to know that people are responding but we need them to keep giving,” Dunne said.

The Christmas campaign targeted both public and corporate funding.

Alluding to the controversies at the Central Remedial Clinic and the Rehab Group, Acting CEO of Fundraising Ireland, Loretta Dignam, said that the past year has been “the toughest year ever for charities and fundraisers because of the actions of a very small number of organisations”.

Fundraising Ireland’s research shows that nearly 400,000 fewer people said they gave to charities over the crucial Christmas period last year.